Cape Town — Bafana Bafana have turned their attention to their next fixture at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) against neighbours, Namibia, where a loss will eliminate them before their final group fixture.
South Africa lost 2-0 against Mali in their first AFCON fixture, a result that was worsened by a first half penalty-miss from star man, Percy Tau. Despite a solid effort in the first half, Bafana were undone by two goals within six minutes, ultimately condemning them to their loss.
According to IOL, Bafana had 55% of the ball possession in the Mali match, and six shots on target to Mali’s seven, but forced the opposition goalkeeper into more saves than those SA captain Ronwen Williams had to make.
However, it seems that Bafana have put their disappointment behind them, with the players looking forward to the game against Namibia, who walked away with a stunning 1-0 victory over Tunisia. Midfielders, Teboho Mokoena and Sphephelo Sithole told SAFA that the players know what they have to do and know what’s at stake.
“We know what we need to do better and what lies in front of us. It is not the start that we had wanted or set ourselves up for, but it is the result that we now have to stomach,” Mokoena said.
Sithole said the team knows victory against Namibia would take pressure off them and increase their qualification chances.
““I think the next game against Namibia is a must-win, we have to win it because a result means that our chances are better,” he said. “So for me we have to win. For me we have to win every game,” he said.
Bafana midfielders Teboho Mokoena and Sphephelo Sithole reflect on Mali defeat and look ahead to Namibia.
📹 supplied by SAFA MEDIA. pic.twitter.com/bULl58GtyL— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) January 18, 2024
According to HeraldLIVE, coach Hugo Broos explained that he wants a better effort from his team in the clash against Namibia.
“If you don’t win that game against Namibia, you are in a bad situation. That’s why it was important to have a good result against Mali,” Broos said.
“Now we play against Namibia and we have to win that game. If we have a draw, it will be difficult to go through to the group stages, so we have to win that game.”
“We can win that game, it is another opponent and I will tell the boys just to go on like they played against Mali.” he added.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
